Epilogue

I suppose you are wondering what the future held for Kartik and Gemma, but I shall spare you the details. I'll skip right over the letters (addressed to Gemma's female pen pal, appropriately deemed Kali, for security reasons of course) that were written almost daily by each corresponding lovebird. I won't bore you with the talk of how Kartik was reunited with his parents (his mother, of course was ecstatic to see her baby boy all grown up, and his father was stoic, as many fathers are, but one could surely see the tears that slid from his dark eyes as he shook his son's hand, then gave way into a crushing embrace). And must you know how our favorite rebel Rakshana novitiate stumbled upon his father's business, a successful export company, and returned to Gemma wearing an expensive, (yet casually un-tucked and unbuttoned) custom-made suit?

No, these details are not particularly important, especially since the present is so much more exciting. Well, perhaps you will want to know about the wedding, with all the fashionable people of both race, tolerant of each other because of money and business, but secretly envious of one another. "So barbaric!" the well-bred English ladies exclaimed quietly about the fashion in which the Indian women danced and carried themselves, all while secretly noting which things to try later that very night in front of their husbands.

And I suppose you'd want to know what Gemma's family thought of the union. Well, Mr. Doyle was not very disapproving, as he was quite fond of India and its inhabitants. In fact, he greatly enjoyed the company of Kartik's father, the reputable Mr. Ambani of Bombay, and the two talked cleverly about exports and shipping (and inevitably, inheritances) all day.

Tom, at first appalled at his lack of control over his sister, finally gave in to the fact that, no, he could not keep such a free spirit caged, and yes, it was probably his fault from that time when he dropped her as an infant.

Gemma's grandmother was less willing to accept Gemma's decision, and gave her Hell throughout wedding plans and dress fittings, and in fact right up to the wedding ceremony, until Kartik's mother greeted her warmly wearing the latest fashion and plenty of jewels. Certain her granddaughter was not going to be a black mark on the family name, perhaps just a gray smudge, Mrs. William Doyle gave in and enjoyed watching her granddaughter sparkle with happiness.

Gemma's friends attended the wedding, of course, and were for the most part thrilled to see her so happy. And what became of them, you may ask? Well, Ann did take her job as a governess much to Gemma and Felicity's dismay. However, all hope was not lost. Not soon after did she take her post in her cousin's home, said cousin hired a new pianist for social gatherings, deeming the previous one unfashionable. The pianist had a handsome face and a kind smile, and he instantly fell in love with Ann's voice as soon as he heard her giving the girls their singing lessons. The two have been courting each other ever since, and it has been noted that Ann has last been seen sporting a lovely diamond on her ring finger and a lovely smile on her face.

But what about Miss Felicity Worthington? Well, to say that she was unconditionally happy for Gemma's marriage would be a lie, as she had hoped to be the first to marry. But for once, she kept her mouth quiet and let Gemma soak up the spotlight like she deserved. And then there was the Honorable Simon Middleton, whom, if anything was just a bit jealous and confused about Gemma's choice for a fiancé. "What made her choose him?" he asked Felicity during the reception.

With a cool glare at Simon, she replied, "Because he is a gentleman, which is more than you'll ever amount to." Simon considered retaliating, but shrugged it off.

"May I have this dance, Miss Worthington?" he asked with a bow. Too shocked to brush him off, Felicity took his hand without a word. Their engagement was announced not three weeks later.

And after the lovely wedding came the lovely honeymoon in fashionable Paris. So many things to see and places to shop, but Kartik and Gemma somehow managed to overlook all of that. When asked their opinions on this and that, they could only reply in vague terms, for they hadn't actually seen any of it. What they could tell you, however, was how comfortable the floor was, how spacious the bathtub was, and how patient the housekeepers were.

"But Gemma, how was Paris, really?" Felicity asked as Kartik cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"Well the croissants were quite good," Gemma replied, giggling behind her gloved fingers. Those same fingers, that just moments later, performed lewd gestures and measurements the moment her husband turned away.

After a fortnight in romantic Paris, it was time for the couple to return to England and start their life together in their very own home. They bickered over every detail of the decorating process, not that either particularly cared, they just wanted to be right for once. Each of their little fights usually ended in christening whichever room they were discussing and finally deciding on a paint color or fabric swatch that neither of them had brought up in the first place. The entire process was rather exhausting, but certainly rewarding, and they both couldn't wait to move to India and start the whole procedure over again.

But as Kartik made the travel plans, Gemma came down with an unfortunate stomach bug. And wouldn't it turn out that Gemma's wretched morning sickness was due to pregnancy, and not just hangovers from too much whiskey with her friends, as Kartik often teased her it was. So all throughout fall and winter, when Gemma and Kartik reflected on their first year together and how neither of them could ever imagine where they'd be in five years, their child grew and developed until one day in late February, when Gemma screamed and cried and told Kartik that she was never sleeping with him again. And poor Kartik, having nearly fainted from the pressure of what was happening at the time, almost believed her.

So then, of course, you will want to know all about beautiful little Rosemary Victoria Ambani, born 7 pounds, 4 ounces, on February 24th, 1901. After 9 hours and 16 minutes of labor and pacing, Kartik and Gemma were blessed with their very first child. After taking one look at the wrinkled, red, screaming face, they both decided easily that she was perfection. And when she opened her tiny eyes for the first time, neither of the proud parents were very surprised to see bright green orbs peering back at them from behind long lashes.

If there was anyone that thought either Gemma or Kartik was beautiful, and I assure you, there were, then they would be beside themselves at the sight of little Rosie, as Kartik affectionately deemed her. Soft, black curls framed her face sweetly and her skin was the color of café au lait. She toddled around on unsteady legs, never having to make it very far without being swept into the arms of one of her loving parents.

Rosie had a lot of things, like the other children she played with. She had the toys, the books, and a pet bunny named Potato. But what she had that her little friends didn't, was a mother that always had room on her soft lap and a father that always had time to tuck her in at night.

Rosie didn't know why she was so lucky, but she knew that she was. She had her father to teach her how to ride her first pony (also named Potato, for that was her first and favorite word), instead of a mean stranger that yelled at her when she fell off. She had her mother to read her bedtime stories of magical places filled with hope and wonder instead of a nanny that sent her to bed with gruesome stories that had her friends crying themselves to sleep. She also had two very rich godparents, both of which wanted to outdo the other in terms of lavish gifts to their godchild.

Simon and Felicity Middleton visited often, much to Kartik's dismay. He always paid extra attention to his wife when they came round, a notion that never went unnoticed to Gemma, who thought it was sweet, really. Those were the days that led to the nights where she paid extra attention to him as well. So in time, Kartik began looking forward to those visits, as it meant he would be justly rewarded for putting up with the fop.

And then there were the nights that little Rosie stayed over at a friend's house. The serving staff was dismissed, and Kartik and Gemma had the house to themselves. Though they were each a little older, a little wiser, at heart they were still the same as they always had been. They'd drink some wine and dance in the kitchen, where the polished wood floors made it easier for Gemma to twirl, for she had never been a graceful girl. They'd laugh and talk, and dream and reminisce, about how things were, are, and may be. And sometimes, when perhaps the wine took its toll a little harsher than expected, they'd sneak out to the stables and pretend they were seventeen again.

Over! Wahh! I wanted to end on a happy note. Nobody ever writes them being together and accepted, so I gave it a shot.

Your thoughts?

I have to say bye-bye to Zidane on Sunday. That's when the auction is. I'm a bit heartbroken!

I'm in class right now,
LunaEquus